How statisticians and their tools have shaped the nation over the last century was revealed, with the release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) history book, Informing a Nation: the Evolution of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The publication chronicles how the ABS has underpinned national progress through professional and committed people, who have measured and surveyed their way through the decades.

Informing a Nation was launched by Professor Sandra Harding, Chair of the Australian Statistical Advisory Council (ASAC).

"This book traces the life of an organisation that has continued to do its duty to the Australian people through two world wars, the great depression, and enormous social, economic, political and technological change," said Professor Harding.

The launch is part of a suite of activities in the ABS's Centenary Year, celebrating 100 years since its creation in 1905.

Since then, the ABS has provided an accurate, independent and balanced view of how our Australia has changed.

"To my mind there are few institutions in Australian history that have underpinned our understanding of our national progress in the way that the ABS has done," said Professor Harding.

"The ABS has given us an accurate, independent and balanced view of how our nation has changed and to a large extent how our governments have performed.

"It has given us many tools that we can use to understand, manage and improve our economic and social policy.

"It has provided us the data to enable a fair parliamentary electoral representation."

Further details are available from Informing a Nation: the Evolution of the Australian Bureau of Statistics(cat. no. 1382.0).

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